Shipping companies anxious about Brexit

The European Community Shipowners association ECSA, are playing a strong hand in getting a deal done between the EU and Britain, which makes sure that Brexit won’t affect their business. At the same time, ECSA emphasizes the need for similar rights in shipping in the EU and Britain.

”We need to reach an agreement that secures continuality in the deal across the boarders we share,” Niels Smedegaard, CEO of DFDS and former chairman of ECSA says.

”The European shipping companies would like for the Brexit negotiations to respect the need for similar rights for shipping in the EU and Britain, and that they continue to update the industry about the negotiations, so that it is possible to prepare in advance,” Niels Smedegaard says.

On Friday, The European Council is expected to let the Brexit negotiations to step into a new phase, where the future relationship between the EU and Britain is to be agreed upon. If this happens, the negotiations of a permanent deal will likely start next week.

Niels Smedegaard finishes his to year contract as CEO of ECSA at the end of this year, and is replaced by the Greek Panagiotis Laskaridis, CEO of Laskaridis Shipping Co. and Lavinja Corp.